Ahh, the leaves do resemble begonias. Maybe I should go try in the begonia forum 8D

'Mother Lode' is a fairly slow grower, but not a miniature. It will slowly creep and crawl and fill whatever space you allow it to in time. In six years, if you are starting with a 1 gal size or smaller, it likely won't cover more than about 9 or 10 square feet - if that. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Mops' or 'Golden Mop' is considered a dwarf but can become quite sizable in time. You're right, it'll look great near a compact blue spruce. Be sure to plant with its growth rate in mind. Perhaps you may not mind lightly shearing it once a year to keep it a little more compact. There are a few in the gardens at Iseli that are close to thirty years old and are over 7 feet tall and 8 feet or more in diameter. The one pictured in the link below was close to 6 feet tall about eight years ago when the photo was taken. Here is a link that might be useful: Old garden specimen

Hey Yacht. glad to see you back here. Tho I am exhausted just reading what all has been going on with you this summer taking care of 3 grandkids. Yes I got your email, and once again am far behind in responding to my friends. I am so sorry. I know how super proud you are of Dustin, and all he does with Rick Springfield. Its been great to see pictures and hear him on videos. I never heard of Chicago Cutlery, but sounds its a good thing there isn't one here! I'd stay broke and need another house for storage. LOL. I'm nearly at that point now. I sure hope the hurricane isn't going to affect you guys. Or any of our gang. Sounds so scary. We had the fun (NOT!) of a REALLY record breaking day, 117 here. 13 degrees above normal for Aug. No relief till early next week they say. Thank heavens for air conditioning. hugs, Karen

Nifty pic Patti! We have had lots of tree frogs this summer. It is fun to see them. We have had the gray ones and green ones...they are little sucky things! I had one on stuck on the wall of my entryway - eeeekkk!!! I can face down a thousand pound horse and turn him around - but a itty bitty frog makes me squeal, LOL!